The Economic Times
English EditionEnglish Editionहिन्दीગુજરાતીमराठीবাংলাಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംதமிழ்తెలుగు
| 04 July, 2024, 11:42 AM IST | Today's ePaper
Monsoon Offer is Live
Search
+
Business News›Magazines›Panache›Panache People 101›Masayoshi Son
    Masayoshi Son

    Masayoshi Son

    Chairman, President & CEO, SoftBank Group Corp
    Birth DetailsAugust 11, 1957 | Kyushu, Japan
    NationalityJapanese
    LeagueEntrepreneur
    EducationBachelor’s Degree in Economics, University of California, Berkeley
    Net Worth$41.8 billion (As of March 26, 2021)
    Masayoshi Son's Assets:
    • SoftBank Group Corp

    Masayoshi Son's Journey so far ...
    • One of Masayoshi Son's early ventures was a multilingual translation device which he invented along with a group of friends while attending college in America. Sharp Corporation purchased the device for around $1 million
    • Son created SoftBank after returning from America. Found in September 1981, the firm initially operated as a software distributor and computer magazine publisher
    • His stint in the telecom business began in the late ‘80s when he offered users a system that would let them choose the operator offering the cheapest rates, thus posing a challenge to NTT which dominated the market at the time
    • Son has been a believer in the potential of Internet-based companies for a long time. During the dot-com boom of the ‘90s, he invested heavily in online start-ups - in fact, he reportedly owned 25% of the Internet at the time and acquired the nickname ‘Mr Internet'
    • It has also been stated that towards the end of the ‘90s, his net worth was rising by $10 billion per week and for three days he remained richer than Bill Gates
    • However, during the dot-com bust in the early 2000s, he lost billions (reportedly, $70 billion paper wealth). Many of his investments including Kozmo and Webvan went down but some like Yahoo Japan and Alibaba paid off and he, somehow, survived the crash
    • He soon entered the telecom business. In 2006, he acquired Vodafone Japan for $17.5 billion
    • Around that time, Son's firm also bagged a deal from Apple to become the sole distributor of iPhone 3Gs in Japan
    • In 2011, his company started providing broadband Internet services
    • In 2012, he bought a majority stake in Sprint for $20.1 billion
    • Under Son's leadership, SoftBank established the Vision Fund -- a $100 billion private equity investment fund -- in 2017. Some of the investments made using this fund include Uber, DoorDash, Slack, Mapbox and WeWork. Son has also invested in several Indian start-ups such as Oyo, Paytm, Ola, Grofers, Lenskart, etc. through this fund
    • In 2017, he acquired some robotics companies which also included Boston Dynamics
    • Today, Son has investments in around 1,000 Internet-based companies and owns 27% of SoftBank. He is also the 2nd richest person in Japan, succeeded only by Tadashi Yanai of UNIQLO
    • In 2011, following the aftermath of the worst tsunami and earthquake that Japan had ever seen, Son donated $125 million to help the victims, and also announced that he would give away his salary - till his retirement - to organisations that help such victims

    Before you go ...
    • SoftBank is short for 'Bank of Software'
    • Born to a Korean immigrant family in Japan, Masayoshi Son had to face rampant discrimination while growing up which prompted his family to change their last name
    • Son considers McDonald Japan's founder, Den Fujita, an idol and was advised by him to study in the United States
    • His list of friends includes Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, Rupert Murdoch, Tadashi Yanai, Steve Jobs
    • He owns some high-end real estate in Japan as well as in America. While his Tokyo home is worth $45 million, he has a sprawling estate in California for which he coughed up $117.5 million

    Last Updated: 26/03/2021

    Masayoshi Son News

    • Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic javelin gold medalist, returns to defend his title in Paris after making history in Tokyo 2021. Hailing from a farming background, Chopra's success inspired youth across rural India to take up javelin. With multiple accolades including a world championship, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games golds, Chopra remains humble and driven. His personal best is 89.94m, aiming for over 90m amidst tough competition like Germany's Max Dehning. Despite fame, Chopra stays grounded, embodying the spirit of a "man of the people."
    • LeBron James has once again become Los Angeles Lakers player as the basketball legend and his son Bronny could make history in NBA.
    • Rajkumari Devi mourns the loss of her sister-in-law Ruby, who died in the Hathras stampede, and is worried about Ruby's missing five-year-old son. Rajkumari, from Unnao, sat beside Ruby's body in an ambulance, expressing grief and frustration, stating, "It's only the poor who meet this fate, not the rich." Ruby and her son were among 60 attendees at a 'satsang' led by 'baba' Narayan Hari. The stampede killed 121 people and left over 2.5 lakh devotees in chaos. Ruby's father, Chhedi Lal, also mourned, noting the family’s devastating losses.
    • SoftBank's shares surge on AI and chip investments, led by Masayoshi Son's strategic moves with key partnerships and focus on energy-efficient architecture. Despite market volatility and past setbacks, the company remains a prominent player in the global tech landscape.
    • Fox News has been sued by President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden over a few images of him which were purportedly use in a series.
    • Nothing embodies the spirit of love like a mass wedding! In celebration of their youngest son's upcoming nuptials, the Ambani family hosted a grand mass wedding ceremony for over 50 underprivileged couples from Maharashtra's Palghar on July 2.
    • At a time when Michael Schumacher's son Mick is set to take the next step in his F1 career, his wife Corinna was seen at the Zeltweg paddock accompanying her son to support him. She said that she is there for the children, the family, his father, and everyone around him.
    • On March 14, Sudha Murty took the oath as a Rajya Sabha MP, with her husband, Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, in attendance. The oath was administered by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar. Murty was nominated to the Upper House of Parliament on International Women's Day. She has received many awards, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
    • Anant Ambani, ahead of his wedding with Radhika Merchant on July 12, visited the Krishna Kali temple in Neral, Maharashtra. He performed a havan ceremony seeking divine blessings and was accompanied by friends, including Janhvi Kapoor's boyfriend Shikhar Pahadia and actor Veer Pahadia. Anant's choice of attire and his impressive Rs. 6.9 crore Richard Mille watch garnered attention during this spiritual preparation.
    • The dad-son duo, LeBron James and Bronny James are set to appear together for the upcoming NBA seasons after the younger one was picked by the LA Lakers at No.55 of the ongoing NBA Draft. However, this also meant he will be losing out on a few millions of money.
    • As the wedding day for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant approaches, the lavish wedding invitation has captured the internet's attention. Set for July 12 in Mumbai, the grand affair will see a blend of tradition and luxury, starting with an invitation that has become the talk of the town. The extravagant invite, a box resembling a temple, is adorned with intricate details and divine imagery. Watch the video of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding invitation card, shared by one of the card recipients.Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant wedding invitation: What is inside it, check here
    • Phoebe is the daughter of Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates. She has recently confirmed her relationship with Arthur Donald, grandson of The Beatles' superstar Paul McCartney.
    • Akira Nandan, son of Pawan Kalyan, attended the premiere of 'Kalki 2898 AD' sporting a T-shirt featuring Prabhas' character. He joined enthusiastic fans celebrating the film's release, which has received positive early reviews for its blend of futuristic technology and mythological themes. The premiere was marked by fan fervor, with Akira seen evading paparazzi as he enjoyed the screening alongside his mother.
    • Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa took oath as Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha on June 25. He won as an independent candidate from Faridkot, Punjab. Notably, Sarabjeet Singh is the son of Beant Singh, who assassinated former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.18th Lok Sabha: Son of Indira Gandhi’s killer, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa takes oath as MP
    • SoftBank's AI investments, especially in Perplexity AI at $3 billion, signify a strategic shift towards innovative technologies, including the 'answer engine' concept, amidst Masayoshi Son's ambitious AI vision.
    • Anant Ambani's wedding invitation is a testament to opulence and tradition, seamlessly blending luxurious design elements with cultural heritage. The invitation features intricate details, high-quality materials, and a sophisticated presentation that reflects the grandeur of the upcoming event. Each aspect of the invitation, from its elegant typography to its ornate embellishments, underscores the significance of this momentous occasion.
    • Uttar Pradesh's Cabinet approved Tata Sons' Rs 650 crore proposal to build an Ayodhya 'museum of temples,' funded through Tata's CSR. Additionally, Rs 100 crore was allocated for Ayodhya's development, and helicopter services will start in Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Kapilvastu. The museum will showcase India's temple history with a potential light-and-sound show.
    • "There is a strategic reason for not making any equity infusion even as organisational changes are being made," said one of the persons. "However, new fund infusion will commence after the strategy and organisational changes for better operational efficiencies are in place." Registrar of Companies (RoC) filings obtained through business intelligence platform Tofler show group holding company Tata Sons didn't invest in Tata Digital in FY24.
    • The father-son duo have been arrested by the German police based on charges of blackmail and extortion. They were targeting F1 legend Michael Schumacher's family, claiming that they will leak sensitive files on Formula 1 on the dark web.
    • The cabinet approved Tata Sons' museum project in Ayodhya and other developments, including helicopter services in key areas. Ministers discussed heritage building transformations and tourism fellowship programs during the press meet, emphasizing cultural preservation and tourism enhancement.
    • Nita Ambani arrived in Varanasi on June 24, to personally give the wedding invitation for her youngest son, Anant Ambani, at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. After the prayer, she expressed, "I offered prayers to lord Shiva. I am feeling very blessed. Today I came here with the invitation for the wedding of Anant and Radhika to offer it to the almighty. I came here after 10 years. I am happy to see the development here." Later, Nita Ambani was seen enjoying a plate of chaat at a local shop. Later, she also interacted with locals during her visit.Nita Ambani at Kashi Vishwanath temple, offers son's wedding invitation to Lord Shiva; enjoys food at a local chaat shop
    • Tata Play’s net loss for fiscal 2024 surged more than threefold due to heightened competition in its direct-to-home (DTH) TV distribution business. The company reported a net loss of Rs 354 crore for the fiscal year ended March 31, compared to Rs 105 crore the previous year. Revenue from operations fell by over 4% to Rs 4,304 crore, while expenses rose 1.47% to Rs 4,761 crore. The DTH segment posted a net loss of Rs 247 crore, while the broadband business saw a narrower net loss and a 27% revenue increase.
    • Sidhartha Mallya, son of businessman Vijay Mallya, married his girlfriend Jasmine in a lavish celebration at the family's Hertfordshire estate in the UK. The multi-day event combined Christian and Hindu ceremonies. Friends and family from around the world attended the festivities, held at the luxurious Ladywalk estate. Despite his legal troubles, Vijay Mallya was present, enjoying the celebrations. The couple, who got engaged last November, shared joyous moments and photos on social media.
    • Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya was photographed attending his son Siddhartha Mallya's luxurious wedding in the UK, despite facing legal troubles related to a Rs 900-crore loan fraud case. The lavish ceremony took place at Vijay Mallya's $14 million estate in Hertfordshire, attracting close friends and family members for a week-long celebration. The bride, Jasmine, and Siddhartha Mallya exchanged vows in a traditional Christian ceremony.
    • On Thursday, Shatrughan Sinha quieted all naysayers by appearing with his future son-in-law, Zaheer Iqbal. Ever since the buzz of his daughter, Bollywood diva Sonakshi Sinha tying the knot with Iqbal broke out, there have been persistent rumours that her family has distanced themselves from her as they were displeased with her choice of a life partner.
    • Load more
    DisclaimerThe content of this page has been aggregated from multiple websites. Some information can change over the passage of time.
    The Economic Times
    BACK TO TOP